Airee bowls Nepal to thrilling win over UAE

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Oct. 13: Dipendra Singh Aire shone with ball as Nepal edged past the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by a single run in a nail-biting Super Six clash of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia and East Asia–Pacific Qualifier on Sunday, thanks to a match-winning final over from all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee.

Chasing a modest target of 141, UAE finished at 139 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. The game went down to the wire, with UAE needing 10 runs off the final six balls. Airee, entrusted with the last over, held his nerve under pressure.

After conceding a single and a dot ball, Airee was struck for a six by Dhruv Parashar, bringing UAE within four runs of victory. However, Parashar was caught by Sundeep Jora on the next delivery. A run-out followed on the penultimate ball, leaving UAE needing three off the final delivery. They managed just one, with Junaid Siddique run out attempting a second, sealing Nepal’s thrilling win.

Alishan Sharafu top-scored for UAE with a resilient 58 off 40 balls, including three boundaries and five sixes. 

Parashar added a brisk 32 off 18 balls. Earlier, Sharafu and Jonathan Figy (19 off 29) had built an 81-run partnership after the early dismissal of captain Muhammad Waseem. Airee broke the stand in the 12th over, triggering a collapse that saw UAE slump to 96 for six by the 16th over.

Airee finished with figures of 3 for 22 from his four overs and was named Player of the Match. Sandeep Lamichhane, Sompal Kami, and Gulshan Jha claimed one wicket each. Speaking after the match, Nepal captain Rohit Paudel admitted his side had not posted a big enough total but praised the bowlers for their composure. “The second partnership from UAE was putting pressure on us. Once we got Alishan’s wicket, we knew we were back in the game,” Paudel said. “Death bowling was incredible today. The bowlers kept their calm and took every chance that came our way. Under pressure, we bowled really well.”

Paudel also hailed Airee’s contribution, calling him “a full package for us.”

Earlier, Nepal posted 140 for six after electing to bat first at the Oman Cricket Academy Ground. Openers Kushal Bhurtel and Aasif Sheikh gave Nepal a solid start, adding 45 runs in the powerplay. Bhurtel scored 28 off 26 balls before falling lbw to Harshit Kaushik. Paudel added 20 before being caught off Mohammad Farooq.

Aasif Sheikh anchored the innings with a composed 51 off 47 balls, including four boundaries and a six, before being bowled by Parashar. Nepal stood at 103 for three after 16 overs and added 37 runs in the final four. Gulshan Jha contributed a quick 14 off five balls, while Kushal Malla added 10. Airee was dismissed for one, with Sundeep Jora (4) and Sompal Kami (6) remaining unbeaten.

UAE’s bowling was evenly shared, with Junaid Siddique, Mohammad Rosid, Zahood Ali, Haider Ali, Harshit Kaushik, and Dhruv Parashar each taking one wicket.

In another fixture, Oman secured a crucial 34-run win over Qatar, collecting two valuable points. Oman posted 172 for six in their 20 overs, while Qatar managed 138 for nine in reply.